ZIP Code · WV

ZIP 24740

Part of Princeton, WV

Pop. 16,498·Mercer County·15th most expensive ZIP in West Virginia

Median rent (all units)

$865/mo

Year-over-Year

-6.0%

Month-over-Month

-3.0%

vs US Median

-$1,067

Reported rents

Falling (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

ZIP 24740 · $865

More affordable than 99% of US ZIP codes · National median $1,932/mo

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Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$610

1 BR

$700

2 BR

$880

3 BR

$1,180

4 BR+

$1,240

Research median

$880/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: October 17, 2026

From the history

What the numbers show

Past year vs. the rest of West Virginia

Rent in ZIP 24740 changed -6.0% over the year to September 2026. Across the 14 West Virginia ZIP codes Zillow tracks, the typical change was +3.5%.

What a typical income covers

30% of the median household income ($44,793) is $1,120 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 2-bedroom ($880); a 3-bedroom is $1,180.

From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for ZIP 24740. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.

Annual cost

$10,380/yr

At $865/mo median

Location

CityPrinceton

StateWV

CountyMercer County

Rent Market Meter

Strong Renter's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are down 6.0% year-over-year. Push hard on price, concessions, and lease terms.

Based on rent-price momentum (-6.0% YoY, -3.0% MoM), not inventory.

Demographics

Who lives here

ZIP 24740 (Princeton, WV) is majority owner-occupied, has a large retiree population, has a median income below the national average, 22.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

16,498

Median income

$44,793

Median age

38.7

Renters

36%

Age distribution

23.3%

22.1%

21.8%

23%

Under 1823.3%

18–3422.1%

35–5421.8%

55–649.7%

65+23%

Gender

49.6%

50.4%

Male49.6%

Female50.4%

Race & ethnicity

88.6%

White88.6%

Black3%

Hispanic1.7%

Other6.6%

Education (25+)

41.5%

26.6%

22.7%

No HS diploma9.1%

HS diploma41.5%

Some college26.6%

Bachelor's+22.7%

Housing tenure

64%

36%

Owner64%

Renter36%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How ZIP 24740 in Princeton, WV has changed in 5 years

Income

$41,121 → $44,793

up 8.9%

Population

16,240 → 16,498

up 1.6%

Renter share

38.4% → 36%

-2.4 pts

Bachelor's+

20.1% → 22.7%

+2.6 pts

Median age

40.4 → 38.7

-1.7 yrs

Median household income grew from $41,121 to $44,793 between 2021 and 2024, a 8.9% shift. Headcount in the area went from 16,240 to 16,498 between 2021 and 2024, a 1.6% change. About 36% of households rent today, against 38.4% in 2021. Educational attainment has shifted as well, with the share of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher climbed from 20.1% to 22.7%.

Community

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Local insights

Tips for renters in ZIP 24740

About renting in ZIP 24740

Last updated: October 17, 2026

ZIP code 24740 covers Princeton, WV. The median rent here is $865/mo as of October 2026. A 1-bedroom rents for a median of $700/mo. A 2-bedroom rents for a median of $880/mo.

At 23% of local median household income ($44,793/yr), ZIP 24740 ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have decreased 6.0% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How much income do you need to rent in ZIP 24740?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $35,000/year (about $17/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $865/mo in ZIP 24740. The local median household income is $44,793/yr, so the typical household meets that bar.

Is rent going up or down in ZIP 24740?

Rent in ZIP 24740 has fallen 6.0% over the past year.

How does ZIP 24740 compare to other ZIPs in West Virginia?

ZIP 24740 is one of the more affordable among West Virginia ZIP codes for rent, ranking #15 of 17 at $865/mo. Over the year to September 2026, rent in ZIP 24740 changed -6.0%, against a typical +3.5% across the 14 West Virginia ZIP codes Zillow tracks.